Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-04-14
THE RETALIATION LAW
The President Sends Il Sound Letter to
the American Fisheries Union.
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.

American 1lSNbflth HuioH5 VI ihH0AA'
chusetts, calling attention TO the fisher
les dispute and suggesting that the retail
iatory act passed by the late congress
would, in their opinion, be sufficiently
executed if the proposed retaliation was
confined to the closing of the U. S, mar
kets to the Canadian fish products, he
has made the following answer:
EXECUTIVE MABWON,
WAsHHGroy, April 7.
George Steele, Esq, Pres't OF American
Fishery Union, and others, Glouces-
ter, Mass;
GENT EMEN-I have received your lot
ter lately addressed TO me, and have given
full consideration 10 the expression of
the views and wishes therein contained
in relation to the existing differences be
tween the government of Great
Britain and the United States,
growing out Of the refusal
toward our citizens engaged in
the fishing enterprise, Of privileges to
which they are entitled under treaties
stipnlations or the guarantees Of interna-
tional amity and neighborly concession.
| sincerely trust the apprehension you ox:
press of unjust aud unfriendly treatment
OF American fishermen lawfully found in
Canadian waters will not be realized; but
if such apprehension should prove to be
well founded, earnestly nope that no
fault or inconsiderate action of any Of
our citizens will in the least weaken the
JUST POSITION or Dun GOVERNMENT
or deprive Us of the universal sympathy
aud support to which we should be en-
titled The action Of this adninistra-
ton since June 1885, when the fishery
articles Of the treaty of 1871 were ter
minated under the notification which had
two years befors been given TO our gov
ernment has been fully declared by cor.
respOndenoe between representatives OF
the appropriate departments of the re-
spectjve governments, with which | am
apprised by your letter, you are
this correspondence has doubtless
satisfied you that in no case
have the rights or privileges Of
American fishermen been overlooked or
neglected but that on the contrary they
have been scdulously insisted upon and
cared for by every means within the con
troll of the executive branch of tho gov
eminent. Theact of congress approved
March 3, 1884, authorizing the
course of retaliation through
executive action in the event
of continuance on the part OF the British
American authorities of unfriendly con
duct and treaty violations affecting
American fishermen had dovoHed upon
the president of the United States exceed
inRly
GRAVE AND SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITIES.
Comprehending highly important consi-
quences to our national character and
dignity, and involving extremely valu-
able commercial intercourse between the
British possessions of North America and
the people of the United States, l under.
stand the main purpose of your letter Is
TO suggest that in case recourse TO the
retaliatory measures authorized by this
act should be invoked by unjust treat
meut in the future, the object of such re-
taliation might be fully accomplished by
prohibiting Canadian Ash from entering
into ports of the L. S. The existing
controversy is one in which two nations
are tho parties concerned. The retalia-
tion contemplated by the act of congress
Is to be enforced not TO protect solely
and particular interests however meritor-
ious or valuable, but TO
MAINTAIN NATIONAL HoNoB
and thus protect all our people. In this
view,the violation OF the American fish
cry rights and the unjust or
unfriendly acts towards the por-
tion of our citizens engaged
in this business is but the occasion for
action, and constitutes nation anront
which gives birth TO or may justify re
taliatiou. This measure once resorteu to,
its effectiveness and value may well de-
pend upon the thoroughness uud eStont
of its application, and in the perform.
auco OF international duties aud the ca
forcemcut of international rights and
the protection of our citizens, this gov
prument, and the people of the United
States,
MUST ACT AS 4 UNtr,
all intent upon attaining the best result
of retaliation upon the basis of a main
tenance of national honor and duty.
nation seeking TO maintain its honor
dignity ana integrity is engaged IN pro
tectiug the rights of it7 people. and,it n
such efforts & particular interest is iujur
ca and special advantages forfeited, thcs,
things should h' pAltlOlicau5 butht 10
the public good. An immense volume 81
population, manufactures. and ogricul
tural productions, and the murin
tonnage and the railways to which
these have givpu activity 10 an, ia Target.
the result of the intercourse between TIA
United States and British America, am,
the natural growth OF full half centur
of good ueighborhood aud friendly com
muuicatiou, form am aggregate of mate
rial wealth and Incidental relations O
the most impressive maguitt'e.
fully appreciate these things ant
are not uamiudful ot the great numoe
ofour people who are concerned in such
vast aud diversified interests. In the per
Torrance Of the serious duty which con
gress has imposed upon me and in tn
exercise upon the just occasion tn
power conferred under the act refcrre,
to shall deem myself bound TO inhic
no
UNNECESSARY DAMAGE on ISIUBN
upon any portion OF our people but
shall nevertheless, be uutlmchingly guild
sd by a,sensc of what the self respect an,
dignity OF the nation demand. In main
tcnauct of these and in support q
the honor of the government beutatI